Spring cushion structure



April 20, 1937. w. A. CLARK SPRING CUSHION STRUCTURE 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Nov. 14, 1935 INVENTOR Wi liam A. Mark ATTORNE W. A. CLARK SPRING CUSHION STRUCTURE April 20, 1937.

2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Nov. 14; 1935 INVENTOR. WHHam A. Clark 64%, fiWq/fl ATTORNEYS Patented Apr. 20;- 1937 PATENT OFFICE.

srme fousmon' srauoruaa William A. Clll'k, Detroit, Mich., assignor to 1.. A

Young Spring Mich.

and Wire Corporation, Detroit Application November 14, 1935, Serial No. 49,753

17 Claims.

The main objects of this invention are:

First, to provide a spring cushion structure which is well adapted for the modern types of pleasure automobiles in which a very substantial frame is desired and at the same time one which occupies a'minimuin of space in order to conserve head room.

Second, to provide a spring cushion structure which may be readily conformed to meet the Y in varying conditions such as are met with in different makes of automibles-that is, the conformation of the area under the cushion which frequently has raised portions for wheel housings, drive shaft housings and the like.

' 1'5 Third, to provide a structure having these advantages which is simple andeconomical in its parts and to which the upholstery may be easily applied.

Objects relating to details and economies of the invention will appear from the description to follow. The invention is defined and pointed out in the claims.

A structure which is a preferred embodiment of the invention is illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in which:

Fig. 1 is an inverted view of, a spring cushion structure embodying the features of my invention, the upholstery being omitted.

Fig. 2 is a fragmentary view-partially in section on line corresponding to line 2-2of Fig. 1,

the spring pockets being illustrated convention- Fig. 3 is an enlarged inverted perspective view illustrating one form of the frame and base con- 85 formation to particular situations or conditions.

Fig. 4 is a perspective view of the grid-like base of the embodiment illustrated in Fig. 1.

Fig. 5 is an enlarged detail section on a line corresponding to line 5-5 of Fig. 2.

Fig. 6 is an enlarged detail section through the front frame member illustrating the relation of the upholstery thereto.

Fig. 7 is a fragmentary perspective view of one of the frfiit corners of the frame sectioned on a line corresponding to line 1-1 of Fig. 1.

Fig. 8 is a fragmentary perspective view of a modified form of frame member.

In the embodiment of my invention illustrated,

the body springs are housedin rows or strips of 0 springs pockets designated generally by the numeral I. As this form of pocketed spring is well known in the art. it isnot detailed. It is shown mainly on -conventionalizedform.

2, front member 3, and end members I. These My improved frame comprises a rear member border frame members are formed of strips of sheet .metal folded to provide a channel 5 in which the tacking strips 6 are fitted and retained by clamping the edges of the channel flanges l and 8 upon the tacking strips. leaving a midportion 9 of the tacking strips exposed to permit the driving of tacks therein.

The web of the channel is extended to one side andfolded inwardly upon itself to provide a laterally projecting attaching flange III disposed in the plane of the web. This infolded portion is angled to provide the inner flange 8 of the channel. In the end members, these inner flanges 8 of the channel are wider than the depth of the tacking strips so that they project substantially beyond the face of the tacking strip to provide supporting and wear members f I which guard the upholstery skirt drawn upon the fabric.

The rear and end frame members are disposed with their channels facing downwardly. The front member is disposed with the channels facing inwardly and the attaching flange projecting upwardly. The rear frame member has upward offsets l2 at each end thereof and a'central upward offset l3, these ofl'sets being pro-,

vided to accommodate irregularities or raised portions in the floor of the vehicle or the portion over which the seat is disposed. The ends of the rear frame member are lapped upon the underside of the flanges of the end frame members as shown in Fig. 3 and secured by means of spot welds or rivets indicated at I 4, braces or corner irons l5 being provided in the embodiment illustrated.

The front ends of the end members terminate in down-turned flanges l6 giilch are lapped upon theinner side of the ups nding flange of the front frame member and secured thereto by spot welds or rivets as indicated at IT. This makes a very rigid frame and one that can be readily conformed-that is, the members may be readily bent to provide offsets as shown at l8, Fig. 3.

The frame is further braced and supporting members provided for the base grid by providing cross bars I 9 preferably having longitudinal stiif-' ening ribs 20, the rear ends of these cross bars being lapped upon the horizontal projecting flange of the rear member and secured thereto by spot welding or rivets as indicated at 2|. The front ends of these members terminate in downturned flanges 22' secured to the upstanding attachingflange of the front member spot welds or rivets indicated at 23.

The base grid comprises a plurality of longiby means of tudinal wires 24 and transverse wires 25, these wires being secured together by welds at their crossing points as indicated at 26 in Fig. 5. Some of the wires are interrupted in the zone of the central upward offset l3 of the rear frame member so as to receive the part which this offset 13 is designed to receive. The longitudinal wires are spot welded to the cross bars I9 as indicated at 21 and the ends of the transverse wires except where they are terminated as described are lapped upon the attaching flange of the rear frame member and welded thereto, the ends .of the longitudinal wires being lapped upon the attaching flanges of the end frame members and welded thereto. The base grid thus becomes an integral part of the base unitthat is, the unit consisting of the frame members, the cross bars and the base grid.

The pocketed springs are arranged upon this base grid and secured thereto by means of clips 28, these clips being preferably in the form of rings of well known type engaged through the pockets to embrace an end coil of the spring and also to embrace one of the grid wires. The intermediate clips serve to engage two springsthat is, the springs of adjacent pockets and also embrace the longitudinal wires, adjacent clips being disposed on alternate sides of the transverse grid wires so that shifting of the pockets on the base is prevented. The front portion of the upholstery skirt is shown at 29, Fig. 6, This is brought down around the bottom of the frontframe member and secured to the tacking strip by means of tacks 30.

In the modification shown in Fig. 8, the attaching flange 3| of the channeled frame member 32 is formed as an extension of the inner tacking strip clamping flange 33, this flange being folded upon itself as is clearly illustrated. This embodiment may be used for light work but does not possess the strength of the preferred form. -It does possess the advantage of the laterally projecting attaching flange to which the frame and other attaching parts may be readily attached.

In Fig. 4, I illustrate the manner of conforming the base grid to accommodate particular conditions where it is not convenient to provide transverse wires. For positioning the clips or preventing sliding movement of the clips, the longiv tudinal wires are kinked as indicated at 35, the clips engaging these kinks so that their sliding movement on the grid wires is prevented.

I have illustrated and described iny .invention in embodiments thereof which have proven very satisfactory. I have not attempted to illustrate various modifications and adaptations which are 'possible and desirable for meeting particular conditions as it is believed that this disclosure will enable those skilled in the art to embody or adapt the same as may be desired.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is:

1. In a spring cushion structure, the combination of a frame comprising channeled front, rear and end members having tacking strips secured therein, the web portions of the channeled frame members being extended beyond the channels thereof and reversely folded to provide attaching flanges in the planes of the channel webs, the infolded parts of the attaching flanges being angled flanges of the channels, the rear and end members of the frame being disposed to face downwardly with their flanges projecting inwardly, the front frame member to provide the inner frame members,

being disposed to face inwardly with its attaching flange projecting upwardly, the ends of the end frame members being lapped upon the supporting flanges of the front and rear frame members and secured thereto, cross bars disposed with their rear ends in lapping relation to the attaching flange of the rear frame member and welded thereto and having angled front ends disposed in lapping relation to the upright attaching flange of the front frame member and welded thereto, a base grid comprising longitudinal and transverse wiresdisposed in crossed relation and arranged with the ends of the longitudinal wires lapping and secured to the attaching flanges of the end the rear ends of the transverse wires being lapped upon and secured to the attaching flange of the rear frame member, the longitudinal wires of the base grid resting upon the said cross bars, rows of pocketed springs arranged upon said base grid, and clips connecting the pocketed springs of adjacent rows and embracing certain of the base grid wires, adjacent clips being arranged to engage opposite sides of a grid wire disposed transversely of the wires embraced by the clips for limiting sliding movement of the clips.

2. In a spring cushion structure, the combination of a frame comprising channeled front, rear and end members having tacking strips secured therein, the web portions of the channeled frame members being extended beyond the channels thereof and reversely folded to provide attaching flanges in the planes of the channel webs, the infolded parts of the attaching flanges being angled to provide the inner flanges of the channels, the rear and end members of the frame being disposed to face downwardly with their flanges projecting inwardly, the front frame member being disposed to face inwardly with its attaching flange projecting upwardly, the ends of the end frame members being lapped upon the supporting flanges of the front and rear, frame members and secured thereto, cross bars disposed with their rear ends in lapping relation to the attaching flange of the rear frame member and welded thereto and having angled front ends disposed in lapping relation to the upright attaching flange of the front frame member and welded thereto, and a base grid comprising longitudinal and transverse wires disposed in crossed relation and arranged with the ends of the longitudinal wires lapping and secured to the attaching flanges of the end frame members, transverse wires being lapped upon and secured to the attaching flange of the'rear frame memher, the longitudinal wires of the base grid resting upon the said cross bars.

3. In a spring cushion structure, the combination of a frame comprising channeled front, rear and end members having tacking strips secured therein, the web portions of the channeled frame members being extended beyond the channels thereof and reversely folded to provide attaching flanges in the planes of the channel webs, theinfolded parts of the attaching flanges being angled to provide the inner flanges of the channels, the rear and end members of the frame being disposed to face downwardly with their flanges projecting inwardly, the front frame member being disposed to face inwardly with its attaching flange projecting upwardly, the ends of the end frame members being lapped upon the supporting flanges of the front'and rear frame members and secured thereto, and cross bars disposed with their rear ends in lapping relation to the attaching flange of the rear frame member and welded thereto and having angled front ends disposed in lapping relation to the upright attaching flange of the front frame member and welded 5 thereto.

4. In a spring cushion structure, the combination of a frame comprising channeled front, rear and end members having tacking strips secured therein and provided with laterally projecting attaching flanges, the rear and end members of the frame being disposed to face downwardly with their flanges projecting inwardly, the front frame member being disposed to face inwardly with its attaching flange projecting upwardly, the ends of the end frame members being lapped upon the supporting flanges of the front and rear frame members and secured thereto, cross bars disposed with their rear ends in lapping relation to the attaching flange of the rear frame member and welded thereto and having angled frontends disposed in lapping relation to the upright attaching flange of the front frame member and welded thereto, a base grid comprising longitudinal and transverse wires disposed in crossed relation and arranged with the ends of the longitudinal wires lapping and secured to the attaching flanges of the end frame members, the rear ends of the transverse wires being lapped upon and secured to the attaching flange of. the rear frame memher, the longitudinal wires of the base grid resting upon the said cross bars, rows of pocketed springs arranged upon said base grid, and clips connecting the pocketed springs of adjacent rows and' embracing certain of the base grid "wires, adjacent 3 clips being arranged to engage opposite sides of a grid wire disposed transversely of the wires embraced by the clips for limiting sliding movement of the clips. Y

, 5. In a spring cushion structure, the combina- 40 tion of a frame comprising channeled front, rear and and members having tacking strips secured therein and provided with laterally projecting attaching flanges, the rear and end members of the frame being disposed to face downwardly with .45 their flanges projecting inwardly, the front frame member being disposed to face inwardly with its attaching flange projecting upwardly, the ends of the end frame members being lapped upon the supporting flanges of the front and rear frame 50 members and secured thereto, cross bars disposed with their rear ends in lapping relation to the upright attaching flange of the front frame member and welded thereto, and a 'base grid comprising longitudinal and transverse wires 55 disposed in crossed relation and arranged with the ends of the longitudinal wires lapping and secured to the attaching flanges of the end frame members, the rear ends of the transverse wires being lapped upon and secured to the attaching flange 60 or the rear frame member, the longitudinal wires of the \base grid resting upon the said cross 6. In a spring cushion structure, the, combination of a frame comprising channeled front, 65 rear and end members having tacking strips secured therein and provided with laterally pro;

1 jecting attaching flanges, the rear and end members of the frame being disposed to face downwardly with their flanges projecting inwardly, 70 the front framemember being disposed to face inwardly with its attaching flange projecting upwardly, the ends of the end frame members being lapped upon the supporting fla'n'ges of the, front and rear frame members and: secured thereto,

75 and cross bars'disposed with their'rear ends iii v and reversely folded to provide attaching flanges in the planes of the channel webs, the infolded parts of the attaching flanges being angled to provide the inner flanges of the channels, the rear and end members ofthe frame being disposed to 15 face downwardly with their flanges projecting inwardly, the front frame member being disposed to face inwardly with its attaching flange projecting upwardly, the end of the end frame members being lapped upon the supporting flanges 20 of the front and rear frame members and secured thereto.

8. In. a spring cushion structure, the combination of a frame comprising channeled front, rear and end members having tacking strips secured 25 therein and provided with integral laterally projecting attaching flanges, cross bars disposed with their rear ends in lapping relation to the attaching flanges of the front-and rearframe members and welded thereto, a base grid comprising longitudinal and transverse wires disposed in crossed relation, the ends of the longitudinal wires being secured to the attaching flanges of th'e end frame members, the rear ends of the transverse wires being secured to'the attaching flange of the rear I frame member, the longitudinal wires of the base rid being secured to the said cmss bars, springs arrangedupon said base grid, and clips connecting certain of adjacent pairs of springs and embracing certain of the base grid wires at one side of and in relation to be supported against sliding -movement in one direction by a crossing grid wire, alternate clips being arranged on opposite sides of such crossing grid wire.

9. In a spring cushion structure, the combination of a frame comprising channeled front, rear and end members having tacking strips secured therein and provided with integral laterally projecting attaching flanges, cross bars disposed with their ends in lapping relation to the attaching flanges ofthe "front and rear frame members and welded thereto, and a base grid comprising longitudinal and transverse wires disposed in crossed relation, the ends of the longitudinal wires being secured to the attaching flanges of the end frame members, the rear ends of the transverse wires being secured to the attaching flange'of the rear frame member, the longitudinal wires of the base grid being secured to the said cross bars.

\ 19. In a springsstructurethe combination of 00 a border frame, cross bars secured at their ends to opposed members of said border frame, a basegrid comprising longitudinal and transverse wires disposed in crosscdlrelation and welded together at their crossing points, the ends of the longitudinal wires .being secured to the end members of the border frame-the rear endsf'of the transverse wires being secured tothe rear member of the border frame, the longitudinal wires of thebase grid being; .a lso-securedto the said crossbars," springs arrangeiupon'said base grid; and clips connecting' of the adjacentpairs of springs embracing certainofthebase grid=wires at one side {of and in pdsition' to be supported .iagainst sliding movement in one'direction by a crossing 76 grid wire, alternate clips being arranged on opposite sides of the crossing wires.

11. In a spring structure the combination of a border frame, cross bars secured at their ends to opposed members of said border frame, a base grid comprising longitudinal and transverse wires disposed in crossed relation and welded together at their crossing points, the ends of the longitudinal wires being secured to the end members of the border frame, the rear ends of the transverse wires being secured to the rear member of the border frame, the longitudinal wires of the base grid being also secured to the said cross bars,v

springs arranged upon said base grid, and clips connecting certain of the adjacent pairs of springs embracing certain of the base grid wires at one side of and in position to be supported against sliding movement in one direction by a crossing grid wire.

12. A border frame for spring structures comprising a sheet metal channel of rectangular cross section having a tacking strip fitting in the channel, the edges of the channel flanges being clamped upon the tacking strip to retain the same and to expose a mid-portion thereof, the web of the channel being extended beyond the tacking strip and folded upon itself to provide an attaching flange disposed in the plane of the web of the channel, the infolded part being angled to provide one flange of the channel.

' 13. A border frame for spring structures comprising a sheet metal channel having a tackin strip within the channel, the edges of the channel flanges being clamped upon the tacking strip to retain the same and to expose a mid-portion thereof, the web of the channel being extended beyond the tacking strip and folded upon itself to provide a double thickness attaching flange disposed in the plane of the web of the channel, the infolded part being angled to provide one flange of the channel and being srbstantially'wider than the depth of the tacking strip to project beyond the same and constitute an upholstery guard.

14. A border frame for spring structures comprising a sheet metal channel having a tacking strip within the channel, the edges of the channel flanges being clamped upon the tacking strip to retain the same and to expose a mid-portion thereof, the web of the channel being extended beyond the tacking strip and folded upon itself to provide a double thickness attaching flange disposed in the plane of the web of the channel, the infolded part being angled to provide one flange of the channel.

15. A border frame for spring structures comprising a sheet metal channel having a tacking strip secured within the channel, the web of the channel being extended beyond the tacking strip and folded upon itself to provide a-double thickness attaching flange disposed in the plane of the web of the channel, the infolded part being angled to provide one flange of the channel.

16. In a spring cushion structure, the combination of a frame having channeled front, rear, and end members, each comprising a sheet metal channel of rectangular cross section having a tacking strip fitting in the channel, the edges of the channel flanges being clamped upon the tacking strip to retain the same and expose the midportion thereof, the web of the channel being extended beyond the tacking strip and folded upon itself to provide a double thickness attaching flange disposed in the plane of the web of the channel, the infolded part being angled to provide an inner flange of the channel, and a load supporting base comprising longitudinal and transverse members arranged between said frame members and welded to said attaching flange of said frame members above said inner flange whereby the base load exerts a moment on said attaching flange acting in a direction inwardly of said frame 'to urge said inner flange upon the tacking strip.

17. In a spring cushion structure, the combination of a channeled sheet metal border frame of rectangular cross section having .a tacking strip fitting in the channel, the flanges being clamped upon the tacking strip to retain the same, the web of the channel being extended beyond the tacking strip and folded upon itself to provide a double thickness attaching flange disposed in the plane of the web of the channel, the infolded part being angled to provide an inner flange of the channel, and a load supporting base member mounted within said border frame and secured to said attaching flange of said border frame above said inner flange whereby the base member load exerts a moment on saidattaching flange acting in a direction inwardly of said frame to urge said inner channel flange upon the tacking strip. 

